Archive for the ‘Egyptian Temples & Tombs’

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    Dahshur North Pyramid
    Dahshur North Pyramid, also known as Red Pyramid for its constituent reddish limestone, is the third largest pyramid in Egypt (after Khufu and Khafre Pyramids in Giza) and also one of the few mega structures of the ancient age whose interior is open for public viewing (timing: from 8 am to 4 pm). Local people refer the Red Pyramid as ‘el-haram el-watwat’, meaning the Bat Pyramid. The pyramid, although known as Red, was not always red. It had white Tura limestone, much of which was taken away for other buildings in Cairo during the middle ages, hence revealing the reddish limestone. History: Dahshur North Pyramid was built by Pharaoh Sneferu (2575-2551 BC), father of Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza, who also built Bent Pyramid at Dahshur (one km north from Red Pyramid) and completed the pyramid at Meidum. Construction  [...]
    Posted at April 5th, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Saqqara Step Pyramid of Djoser
    The Step Pyramid of Djoser (also spelled ‘Djozer’ or ‘Zoser’) is located in North Saqqara in Egypt. It is the oldest stone pyramid in Egypt (although Gisr el-mudir, the nearby enclosure is claimed to have been built before) and is a significant architectural marvel of ancient Egypt. The pyramid is the central feature of a big mortuary complex in an huge courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration. The temple remains open for the tourists daily from 8 am to 4 pm. Extra charges are levied for photography and video recording. History: The Step Pyramid was built during the reign of the 3rd Dynasty (2649-2575 BC) by Imhotep, the architect of pharaoh Djoser in honour of the latter. Imhotep was later deified as the patron god of architects and doctors. Djoser’s step pyramid was an absolute revolution in the  [...]
    Posted at April 2nd, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Giza pyramids
    The pyramids of Giza in Egypt are the only surviving Ancient Wonders on planet earth and are one of the most popular tourist spots in the world. The pyramids remain open from 8 am till 4 pm. Information About Giza Pyramids: Greek historian Herodotus was told by Egyptian priests around 450 BC that the Great Pyramid had been built for the pharaoh Khufu, who was the second king of the Fourth Dynasty (c.2575–c. 2465 BC). The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) was originally 146 metres high (now reduced to 137 metres by natural weathering). Over 2 million blocks of stone were used to construct this structure and all through manual labour only. Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren), which is a bit smaller than the Great Pyramid (at 471 metre high), but is better positioned on the desert plateau Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus) is the smallest  [...]
    Posted at April 2nd, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Tell Me about Medinet Habu
    Known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramses III, Medinet Habu is its Arabic identity. Located in Theban Necropolis (Luxor) in Egypt at 4 miles from Valley of the Kings on the Western Nile Bank, it is a vast complex considered after the temple of Karnak in size. Its well maintained state certainly deserves more admiration and visitors than what it is obtaining currently. Although the great pharoahs’ tombs are in the Valley of the Kings, they built grand mortuary temples in their memory and to honor the sacred cult. Ramses III (1186-1155 BC) was the second pharaoh of the Dynasty XX and his tomb is in Kings Valley 11, but Medinet Habu is dedicated to him. Considered quite holy even before Ramses, the location, even today, is believed by the local farmers to hold miraculous powers. Since its early time, the statues of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu  [...]
    Posted at March 19th, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Temple of Edfu – The Second Largest in Egypt
    The Temple of Edfu is dedicated to the falcon-headed sky god, Horus with sun and moon as the eyes and is located in the town of Edfu located between Luxor and Aswan in Egypt. Also known as the Temple of Horus built during the Ptolemaic era from 257 to 237 A.D, it is the best maintained temple in Egypt today. The temple of Edfu is the second grand temple after the Karnak temple and exhibits the typical pharaonic architecture through one can make out the original work of these ancient Egyptian temples. Today, Edfu is a famous site that is accessible via a taxi or Nile cruise. The temple is currently oriented north-south and was buried under the sand since many centuries that has actually kept it intact. Horus Attractions Birth House: Before entering via the Pylon from the south, visit this pillared structure exhibiting a Greco-Roman  [...]
    Posted at March 11th, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor
    The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (‘Djeser Djeseru’ meaning Splendor of Splendors) is located beneath the cliffs at Deir el Bahari (Northern Monastery) complex of mortuary temples and tombs on the west bank of Nile River near the Valley of Kings in Egypt, opposite to the city of Luxor (Ancient Thebes). The temple, located next to the mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, was designed by Senemut, Queen Hatshepushut’s architect and it is dedicated to Sun God Amon-Ra. Statues and sphinxes of the queen lie proliferated throughout the temple campus. Many of these statues have been gradually restored by the excavators. Some of the remains have been presrved in the Cairo Museum whil others have found place in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Queen Hatshepsut: Maatkare Hatshepsut (late 16th century BC – 1482 BC) was the  [...]
    Posted at March 5th, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Valley of the Kings Egypt – What is the Secret of this Place?
    The Valley of the Kings in Egypt; is a mysterious valley where the burial chambers of the kings and nobles of the New Kingdom were built for nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century B.C. Dedicated to the kings of the 18th to 20th Dynasties of Ancient Egypt, the valley is on the west bank of the Nile off Thebes (Luxor) holding the East Valley of maximum royal tombs and the West Valley (WV). It is now a part of World Heritage Site. As per the excavations, the Valley of Kings the Egypt boasts some 63 tombs and 120 chambers that vary from a small pit to a big complex. In general, the royal tombs are adorned with the episodes of the Egyptian mythology that provide an insight to the viewpoints and funerary rituals. Now-a-days, the valley is in minds of all people because of the discovery of the Tutankhamun tomb along with the gossip  [...]
    Posted at March 2nd, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    The Temple of Karnak is the Biggest Ancient Religious Site on Earth
    The Temple of Karnak is an open-air museum holding a huge complex of ruined temples, chapels, pylons (monumental gateways), and other buildings including the spectacular Temple of Amen and a huge structure initiated by Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1391-1351 BC). Sprinkled close to Luxor at 500 km from Cairo, the region surrounding this complex was once the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut (The Most Sacred Places). Regarded as the prime site of worship of the Theban Triad, it belongs to the monumental city of Thebes. After the pyramids, the Temple of Karnak is the mostly visited site in Egypt. The complex holds four main parts (precincts) among which the Precinct of Amun-Re, is the largest and the only structure open to public. The other three are the Precinct of Montu, the Precinct of Mut, and the dismantled Temple of Amenhotep IV, are closed  [...]
    Posted at March 1st, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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    Great Sphinx of Giza – A Dream Come True Visit
    What do recollect on hearing the words, Great Sphinx? Probably a lion with a human head in Egypt! Yes, the Great Sphinx of Giza refers to a statue whose head is of female, the body is of a sitting lion, and the wings are of an eagle. Located on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile, this sphinx is the largest monolith structure on the planet. Built in 2555 BC to 2532 B.C by the ancient Egyptians of Old Kingdom, the Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest known historic piece. The body is 200 feet long and 65 feet tall with the face being 13 feet wide with eyes 6 feet high. Significance This huge statue is so old that the Egyptian Pharaohs revered it as God without knowing anything about it and built a small temple in its facade. Facing east, the Sphinx is associated with the rising sun and so the later Egyptian kings revered  [...]
    Posted at February 26th, 2010 in Egyptian Temples & Tombs
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